Lincolns Letter to Mrs. Bixby, Memorial Park, Provo, UT, USA - Etched in Stone on Waymarking.com

In 1864, it was brought to President Lincoln's attention that Mrs. Lydia Bixby had lost some of her sons in the war, which prompted Lincoln to write this letter to her.

It was first thought that five of the Bixby sons had perished in the war but this was later corrected, as only two were confirmed casualties, while the other three were still alive at the time the letter was written.

The text of the famous letter reads:

"Sept 21, 1864


Mrs. Lydia Bixby
Boston, Massachusetts

I have been shown in the files of the War Department that you are the mother of sons who have died gloriously on the field of battle.

I feel how weak and fruitless must be any words of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering to you the consolation that may be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save.

I pray that our Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only the cherished memory of th loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be yours, to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the alter of Freedom.


Yours, very sincerely and respectfully,
A. Lincoln"

Address: Memorial Park 800 East Center St Provo, UT 84601 Website: [Web Link]

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